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Cherokee Nation reports strong vocational graduations, praises staff member for STARS restart
Summary
Executive Director Diane Kelly told the Education Committee the Nation’s vocational programs reported recent graduations (about 67 at Talking Leaves) and introduced instructor Jessica Jackson, credited with reviving the STARS program and helping the site climb to top national rankings.
The Cherokee Nation’s Education Committee heard an update from Executive Director Diane Kelly on vocational and training programs, who said the Nation’s Job Corps–linked sites have returned to holding graduations and rebuilding program momentum.
"Talking Leaves had their first graduation in quite some time. I think they had around 67 graduates," Kelly told the committee, adding that GED completions were "around 40 something, maybe 50." She said building-trades instructor Lee Primo is expected back after heart surgery and staff have focused on getting students into work quickly after graduation.
Kelly introduced Jessica Jackson, a CPP instructor who helped restart the STARS program this year. Kelly said Jackson’s work helped Talking Leaves compete nationally: "We have good employees at Cherokee Nation," Kelly said, noting a National Job Corps Association call that recognized the site’s rapid improvement.
Kelly described outreach and recruitment efforts tied to Job Corps and TANF and said staff attend community meetings to recruit and connect constituents with services. She thanked staff for their work and praised the Talking Leaves team for community engagement and student supports.
No formal committee action was taken on the report. The committee offered praise and had no substantive questions for Kelly or Jackson.
